updated 01:10 pm EST, Mon November 7, 2011

Korea sees runaway iPhone 4S advance demand

Apple saw record demand for iPhone 4S pre-orders in South Korea, local reports mentioned. About 200,000 of the devices were sold in advance in one day at both KT and SK Telecom. Demand was so high, the Chosunilbo said, that websites crashed the same day.

Korea's native Galaxy S II has sold relatively slowly in the country by comparison. Although Samsung accumulated three million pre-orders worldwide, it sold only 120,000 in Korea in the first three days, including both on-the-spot sales and pre-orders. Apple doesn't ship the iPhone 4S to the country until November 11 and will likely have more pre-orders as well as extra release day sales.

Samsung has been hoping to stop Apple in its home country, although it may not contain Apple for launch. The company is hoping to get an iPhone 4S ban, but it might wait only until the iPhone is available. Its strategy might rely on the same 3G standards patents it has been using in other countries, although this is a risk as Samsung has lost in 3G disputes before.

Demand for the iPhone 4S, despite being a superficially mild refresh, has been hot in other parts of the world. In relatively nearby Hong Kong, pre-orders sold out in 10 minutes, according to checks. Apple sold a total of four million iPhone 4S units worldwide in its first weekend, when the smartphone was only available in seven countries.

Crashing servers?

I'm sure Apple told them

to deliberately crash the sites in order to increase the iPhone 4S hype. Honestly, how many consumers really want to buy a nearly two-year old, recycled iPhone 4 with minor upgrades? All of Apple's product sales are exaggerated to make the company appear more successful than it actually is. The SEC is already checking into Apple's financial operations and should have evidence shortly.

One thing Samsung can't copy

Korea's native Galaxy S II has sold relatively slowly in the country by comparison.

Clear sign of Android burnout. Poor sales despite hometown advantage.

Let the Samsungs of the world continue to mimic Apple's hardware designs. It won't do them any good. Because unlike basic technology patents, which are subject to FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) encumbrances, "trade dress" such as physical appearance are unencumbered. That's why Apple keeps smacking down Samsung in court.

Oh, and let's see Samsung try to copy Siri. If they don't, they get left behind and the next wave of mobile computing interface design will drown them. If they do, they'll embarrass themselves even more. Great for Apple either way.

Superficially mild refresh?

The description of the iPhone 4S as a"superficially mild refresh" is ridiculous. A "smart phone" is "smart" because it is a computer, and when a new model is 2-9 times faster than its predecessor, depending on the task, it is hardly a "superficially mild refresh".